01592836

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2573-16

Modern technologies for plasma cutting have the potential to produce bolt holes that perform on a par with those made by currently accepted methods and at the same time to reduce fabrication costs related to steel bridge construction. Current specifications do not allow holes in primary members to be formed by using plasma cutting. A lack of data showing how plasma-cut holes perform under fatigue and tensile loading inhibits their use in secondary members as well. This paper presents findings from an ongoing investigation into the structural performance of steel members with plasma-cut bolt holes. Specimens include members with a single plasma-cut hole and connection members. Material with plasma-cut holes was procured from four fabricators throughout various industries. Results from approximately 170 fatigue tests and 34 tensile tests are presented. Data from the fatigue tests show that under certain conditions, plasma-cut bolt holes perform comparably to drilled and punched holes. Results from tensile testing are mixed, with 29 of 34 tests exhibiting brittle failure, and most test specimens exceeding the tensile strength of the material. Geometric properties of the plasma-cut holes were measured as well and did not meet current specifications.

01594379

16-4281

English

pp 134–142

2016

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309441377

Print

Figures (13) ; Photos; References (10) ; Tables (5)

Bolts; Boreholes; Evaluation; Fatigue tests; Plasma arc cutting; Steel bridges; Tensile strength

AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications

Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 12 2016 5:53PM

• Artificial Neural Network Model for Estimating Temporal and Spatial Freeway Work Zone Delay Using Probe-Vehicle Data
• Civil Integrated Management for Highway Infrastructure: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
• Comparing Construction Manager–General Contractor and Federal Early Contractor Involvement Project Delivery Methods
• Comparing Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Full-Depth Reclamation Versus Traditional Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Strategies
• Cost and Scope Breakdown Structure for Functional Level Estimating of Consultant Fees
• Design and Construction of a Highway Double-Deck Suspension Bridge
• Developing a Chained Fisher Construction Cost Index for a State Highway Agency
• Effect of Silo Storage Time on the Characteristics of Virgin and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Mixtures
• Effectiveness of Warranted Asphalt Pavements in Indiana
• Empirical Study of the State of the Practice in Alternative Technical Concepts in Highway Construction Projects
• Evaluation of Additional Laboratory Tests for Design of Full-Depth Reclamation Mixtures Using Foamed Bitumen
• Implementing Best-Value Procurement for Design–Bid–Build Highway Projects
• Innovative Design, Traffic Management, and Construction of Concrete Overlay Technology: Canadian Municipal Application
• Large-Scale Deployment of Performance-Related Specifications for Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement
• Multiyear Laboratory and Field Performance Assessment of High-Traffic US-49 Full-Depth Reclamation
• Optimizing Paving Mixtures for Durable, Cost-Effective, and Sustainable Concrete
• Specification Limits and Pay Adjustment for Longitudinal Joint Density of Asphalt Pavements: Case Study in New Jersey
• Use of Pavement Management System Data to Enhance Pavement Performance Specifications in Canada
• Using Parametric Modeling to Estimate Highway Construction Contract Time